States with medical marijuana laws have fewer deaths from opioid overdoses compared to states that do not allow medical marijuana, according to new research.

Opioids for chronic pain, like OxyContin, Percocet and Vicodin, are meant to suppress pain. Recent data shows that not only are prescriptions for these drugs up, but rates of overdose and death are increasing as well. New research published Monday in the journal JAMA Internal Medicine shows that states with medical marijuana laws have rates of anticipated opioid-related deaths 25% lower than states that don’t allow it.

The researchers looked at death rates from opioids between 1999 and 2010 and found that the 13 states that allowed medical marijuana at the time had lower opioid mortality rates-the hypothesis being… Continue reading →

The Denver Post’s endorsement of Colorado’s latest teen anti-pot campaign, though well-intentioned, fails to recognize that the tactics employed by the state – including putting human-sized rat cages as large props on street corners and running “shock and awe”-type TV ads – will do nothing to discourage teen use.

Yes, teens should absolutely be made aware of the potential risks that cannabis consumption can have on their developing bodies. However, like The Post’s editorial board points out, “kids don’t react well to over-the-top drug messages.” Comparing Colorado teens to rodents in a science experiment is disingenuous and will do nothing to encourage kids to stay away from pot.

Good article from Time magazine. It begs the question, “Though it’s not totally clear why.”

I have known several users that say it’s marijuana that keeps them away from drinking or doing pills. Using something that helps and keeps you away from using something that doesn’t help and can kill. Sounds good.

A recent poll shows eight of 10 Oregonians believe it’s a matter of when, not if, voters erase laws against recreational use of marijuana. And a growing consensus says it will happen Nov. 4, when Measure 91, the latest pot legalization initiative, appears on the ballot.

The Measure 91 campaign has deep pockets padded by mainstream donors. It enjoys a growing number of middle-of-the-road endorsements, including from a retired Oregon Supreme Court judge and theCity Club of Portland. And Measure 91 looks similar to measures that passed in Colorado and Washington in 2012.

But an opposition campaign is taking shape-and it will run parallel to a federally funded anti-drug tour… Continue reading →

Paul Armentano, deputy director of the National Organization of the Reform of Marijuana Laws, told the panel there is no scientific correlation between the amount of the active ingredients of marijuana in a person’s system and impairment.

Patients can become tolerant to the effects of THC over time, compared to a new user, he said.

“Cannabinoids’ absorption patterns and effects on performance vary widely from person to person, raising concerns that imposed limits are unlikely to be consistently applicable to individual subjects,” Armentano said.

If adopted by the 2015 Legislature and signed by the governor, DUI marijuana would no longer be based solely on how much THC is in someone’s system.

Colleagues,

I testified before this legislative advisory Committee for over an hour yesterday. You can read the full text of my testimony, some of which is also cited in the LVRJ story below, here: